Advertising displays



June 6, 1967 H. KRAVITT ADVERTISING DISPLAYS 2 Sheets-Sh eet 1 Filed Oct. 4, 1965 B) 6 Q Q 5') ATTORNEY June 6, 1967 I. H. KRAVITT 3,323,240

ADVERT [S 1 NO DI SPLAYS Filed Oct. 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet P.

IN VE IV 7' 0R IRWIN HERBER 7' KRAV/TT ATTORNEY United States Pate nt O 3,323,241? ADVERTl-tilNG DISPLAYS Irwin Herbert Kravitf, 8 d. 46th St, Philadelphia, Pa. 19134 Filed Oct. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 492,601) 11 Claims. (Cl. 46-28) ABSTRAQT ()1 THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to advertising displays and more particularly to activated displays in which the driving mechanism is concealed from view in a manner such that observers are unable to ascertain the source of motive power and the mode of actuation of moving parts.

It has heretofore been proposed as in the Horton Patent No. 1,728,610, to provide a display device in which an object is rotated in front of an inclined mirror, by a drive shaft extending through the mirror to the driving mechanism behind the mirror. This structure has serious shortcomings not only as to the limited character of display but because of the limitations inherent in piercing a mirror.

It has also heretofore been proposed as in the Behning Patent No. 1,729,472, to utilize the intersection of two vertical mirrors disposed at right angles. Extreme precision of shaping of the rotating element and close tolerances as to the sizes of the rotating element and opening in which it is disposed are essential to preserve the illusion. Such precision is diflicult to attain and there still remains the relative motion of the peripheral edge of the rotating element which readily indicates the disposition of the concealed part of the rotating element.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide advertising displays having moving objects with improved concealment of 'the actuating mechanism.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide advertising displays having moving objects and in which a variety of objects can be selectively employed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide advertising displays having concealed driving mechanism with a maximum of concealment and which are of simple but effective construction. It is a further-object of the present invention to provide Patented June 6, 1967 further enlarged, taken approximately on the line 66 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of another advertising display in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing another form of movable article rotating on a vertical axis;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing a vertically movable component in a fixed articlez;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing half a disc on a horizontal axis;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a reciprocating article;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 4 showing another display in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 1414 of FIG. 13.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a receptacle 15 is shown having top and bottom walls 16 and 17, side walls 18 and a rear wall 19 which is never within the view of an observer. The front of the receptacle 15 is open so as to permit of looking into the interior of the receptacle 15.

The top, bottom and side walls, 16, 17 and 18 are preferably made of relatively thin material, particularly as compared with the front opening of the receptacle, so as to make it clear from observation that no motor or other power mechanism is capable of being concealed therein.

In order to provide an open space within the receptacle 15 wall reflecting members are provided preferably comprising two vertical mirrors 22 disposed in perpendicular planes with their front edges 23 meeting at a right angle and in a line connecting the center of the top wall 16 with the center of the bottom wall 17. The rear edges 24 of the mirrors 22 are thus at the respective edges at which the side walls 13 meet the rear wall 19.

In order to conceal the meeting edges 23, a vertical molding strip 25 simulating a rope is preferably provided,

advertising displays which embody an apparently empty 3 box with thin walls and with respect to which objects are supported and move with no visible means of support and/ or actuation.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a View in perspective of an advertising display in accordance with the invention;

. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of FIGJl; FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another advertising display in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical, sectional View, still the marginal edge portions of meeting mirrors presenting serious problems of appearance if exposed to view.

There is thus provided, to the rear of the mirrors a concealed space 26 to the rear of the mirrors 22, in front of the rear wall 19, and between the top and bottom walls 16 and 17.

Within the space 26 an electric motor 27, preferably of slow speed type or with a built in speed reducer, is provided having a vertical shaft 28. The shaft 28 extends through an upper guide or hearing 29 carried on the wall 16 and is connected to an object 36 to be rotated on a vertical axis. The object 30 can be of any shape desired, and is shown as a sphere and can he of bright color, or silvered, or otherwise ornamented. The object 30, if a sphere, appears to be resting on and supported by the top wall 16.

A threaded connection 31 can be provided between the shaft 23 and the object 30.

Also, if desired, within the space 26 a light source 33, such as an electric lamp, can be provided, within an enclosure 34 with one or more openings 35 in the top wall 16 for the delivery of light from the source 33 onto a fixed object 36, such as an initial letter forming part of a name or an advertising symbol.

The light source 33 and power source, including the motor 27 and shaft 28 are effectively concealed.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the receptacle has top and bottom walls 16 and 17, side walls 18 and rear wall 19 as before and vertical mirrors 22 at a right angle and with their front edges 23 meeting and covered by a molding 25 along the visible portion thereof. A concealed space 26 is available as before.

Within the space 26 a motor is provided, which is of slow speed type or which may have a built in speed reducer, a horizontal shaft 41 eXtending therefrom through the junction of the front edges 23 of the mirrors 22.

The motor 40 can be supported by a bracket (not shown) in the space 26 and carried on the rear wall 19 or top or bottom wall 16 or 17.

The shaft 41 is connected in driving relation to a movable object 43 to be rotated on a horizontal axis. The object 43 can be of any shape desired, and is shown as a sphere and can be of bright color, or silvered or otherwise ornamented. A threaded connection 31 can be provided between the shaft 41 and object 43.

As an added feature, if desired, a continuously movable vertical endless band 45 moving in a horizontal path around a visible portion of the object 43 can be provided.

The band 45 is supported in any desired manner but is preferably carried in an arcuate band frame 46 which is supported on a carrier 47 through which the shaft 41 extends. The carrier 47 can also support spaced front and intermediate guide rolls 48 and 49. Rear guide rolls 50 carried by brackets 51 on the rear wall 19 also support the band 45. The band 45 can be driven in any desired manner such as by a friction roller 52 of rubber or the like, close to one of the rolls 50 which is actuated by an electric motor 53 which is also of the slow speed type or with a built in speed reducer.

In use, the rotating object 43 by its positioning, conceals its operating shaft 41, the mirrors 22 carrying forward the appearance of a receptacle which is empty other than for the fixed simulated rope 25, the object 43, the band 45 and the band frame 46.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8 the receptacle 15 preferably has an integral bottom wall front and side extension 55 in front of and sidewise beyond the side walls 18 and rear wall side extensions 56. Within the interior of this receptacle 15, a mirror 57 is provided, inclined at an angle of 45 with respect to the top and bottom walls 16 and 17 and extending between and to the side walls 18 and from the top wall 116 rearwardly and downwardly to the bottom wall }7 and preferably to its junction with the rear wall 19. A space 58 is thus provided below the top wall 16 to the rear of and above the mirror 5'7, between the side Walls 13, and in front of the rear wall 1%.

The top wall 16 has thereabove, as though resting thereon an object 59, which may be similar to the object 30. The object 5) has a threaded connection 66 to a shaft 61 which is driven through suitable gearing 62 by an electric motor 63 which is supported by a bracket 64 from the rear wall 19.

If desired, also, as in the display of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a light source 33, within an enclosure 34 can provide light through opening 35 onto a fixed object 36.

The light source 33 and power source, including the motor 63 and shaft 61 are effectively concealed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the display there shown is similar to that of FIGS. 7 and 8 but has an object 66 of different type carried on a thin shaft 67, which can be hollow for electrical conductors or the like, driven from an electric motor 63. A very different visual effect is obtained by the movement of the object 66.

Referring now to FIG. 10 in the display there shown the top wall has mounted thereon a transparent hollow cylinder 69 simulating a beverage glass, within which the level of the simulation of a liquid rises and falls. For this purpose, the cylinder 69 has ..movable therein an inner cylinder 76 of colored material having the appearance of a liquid, and the simulation of foam thereon, if desired. The cylinder 70 is raised and lowered by a suitable crank mechanism 71 driven by an electric motor 63.

In FIG. 11, the display includes a disc 72 supported on a horizontal shaft 73 and having a substantially half portion thereof projecting through an aperture 74 in the top wall 16, is rotated, preferably slowly, by a friction roller 75 engaging the periphery of the disc 72. The roller 75 is driven by a motor 63 as before.

In FIG. 12, the display includes an oscillating object 77 such as a hammer, which is caused to rise and to fall toward another object 78, such as a nail head, by a crank mechanism 79. The crank mechanism 79 is operated by a motor 63 as before.

From the displays of FIGS. 7 to 12, inclusive, it will be noted that various objects can be moved as desired to produce a wide variety of visual and attention attracting movements. 7

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a display is shown which is similar tothe display of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 in the provisions of a movable endless band 45. In place of an object movable oir-a horizontal axis, an object 80 is provided of flat cylindrical shape and of greater apparent height than the width of the band 4-5. The object 50 has upper and lower sections 80a and 80!) carried on vertical stud shafts 81 and 82. on a horizontal support 83 extending to a vertical support 84 in the space 26. The object 80 can be impelled by engagement of the band 45 therewith or can be permitted to remain motionless with the band 45 carried on a band frame 46.

I claim:

1. An animated display device comprising a receptacle having top, bottom and side walls and an open front,

said walls being of relatively thin material, mirror means interiorly disposed in said receptacle and having vertical portions extending forwardly from rear portions of said side walls at angles of 45 with respect to said side walls and having front meeting edges with an edge concealing strip itherealong, said mirror means reflecting interior portions of said receptacle for viewing through said open front, said mirror portions and said top and bottom walls bounding an interior concealed space, a driving motor in said concealed space, a movable member exteriorly disposed with respect to said concealed space, and riving connections between said motor and said movable member. Z. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 in which said movable member is disposed in front of said edge concealing strip and in concealing relation to said driving connections. 3. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 in which said movable member is disposed in front of said edge concealing strip, and said movable member is a rotatable object. 4. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 in which said movable member is disposed in front of said edge concealing strip, and said movable member is a linearly movable band. 5. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 in which said movable member is disposed above said top wall. 6. An animated display device comprising a receptacle having top, bottom, and side walls and an open front, said walls being of relatively thin material,

mirror means interiorly disposed in said receptacle and having an inclined portion extending downwardly and rearwardly with respect to said top wall and'to said bottom wall,

said mirror means reflecting interior portions of said receptacle for viewing through said open front,

said mirror means and said top and side walls bounding an interior concealed space,

a driving motor in said concealed space,

a movable member exteriorly disposed with respect to said concealed space, and

driving connections between said motor and said movable member, said movable member being disposed above said top wall.

7. An animated display as defined in claim 6 in which said movable member is a rotatable object.

8. An animated display as defined in claim 6 in which said movable object is a sphere.

9. An animated display as defined in claim 6 in which said movable member is a reciprocatory object.

10. An animated display as defined in claim 6 in which said movable member includes a rising and falling object.

11. An animated display device comprising a receptacle having top, bottom andsidewalls and an open front,

said walls being of relatively thin material,

a mirror member interiorly disposed in said receptacle and having portions extending at an angle of 45 with respect to at least two of said walls and disposed with respect to said top wall to provide a rear interior concealed space bounded in part by said top wall,

a movable member exteriorly disposed with respect to said space, and

motor means in said space for moving said movable member,

said receptacle having a fixedly mounted object thereon,

and

a concealed light source in said concealed space for illuminating said fixedly mounted object.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING A RECEPTACLE HAVING TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS AND AN OPEN FRONT, SAID WALLS BEING OF RELATIVELY THIN MATERIAL, MIRROR MEANS INTERIORLY DISPOSED IN SAID RECEPTACLE AND HAVING VERTICAL PORTIONS EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM REAR PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE WALLS AT ANGLES OF 45* WITH RESPECT TO SAID SIDE WALLS AND HAVING FRONT MEETING EDGES WITH AN EDGE CONCEALING STRIP THEREALONG, SAID MIRROR MEANS REFLECTING INTERIOR PORTIONS OF SAID RECEPTACLE FOR VIEWING THROUGH SAID OPEN FRONT, SAID MIRROR PORTIONS AND SAID TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS BOUNDING AN INTERIOR CONCEALED SPACE, A DRIVING MOTOR IN SAID CONCEALED SPACE, A MOVABLE MEMBER EXTERIORLY DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO SAID CONCEALED SPACE, AND DRIVING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SAID MOTOR AND SAID MOVABLE MEMBER. 